Please Vote for Allison Roe

Here's Allison #107, just behind Tina Wild. I think this is the New Zealand Championships, not sure of the distance or date but this was back when NZ women were on top of the world. My sister, Lorraine, is in the black, Waikato uniform, just behind Auckland's Barbara Moore. I do not know who won but I'm assuming that Lorraine is preparing to pounce! Later, in 1981, Allison won both the Boston Marathon and New York City Marathon, becoming the second of only two women to accomplish the feat in the same year. In Boston, she ran 2:26:46.

It is Local Body and Area Health Board elections time here in New Zealand. For those of you who are following my articles, you will gather that I am firmly of the view that our current sickness-centric approach to health is an abject failure that threatens to bankrupt our country.

While we may feel powerless as individuals, that is not true because we are still a democracy and we still have our votes. Who we vote to represent us on our Health Boards can make a difference, but only if we identify those candidates who understand what real health is and then we must vote them in.

One candidate who has the goods is our long-time family friend, Allison Roe. She is going for the Waitemata District Health Board. I can not vote for her, but you might be able to.

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Here is Allison's 150-word manifesto

Allison Roe MBE

"Allison Roe is known for asking the tough questions and working for change."

I have run businesses in television sports production and sports marketing following a successful international athletic career as a runner. Nine years of health board and six in local government have provided strong insights into why the health system is unsustainable.

• With 88% of illness preventable, a change of focus towards a culture of self-care and health education is urgent, or our children will not outlive their parents due to obesity, diabetes, heart disease and mental health challenges.

• Doctors, nurses and complementary practitioners of all cultures must work integratively to achieve best health.

• Prioritise the elderly, mentally fragile and concerning growth in the disability community.

• Tackling antibiotic resistance and insisting on proper informed consent for all medical procedures is a right for all.

• Health and the environment, must be put ahead of corporate interests.

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Two points: People like Allison can not bring about meaningful change on their own, please vote not just for her and but also for other candidates who you think will work with her to make a difference.

When you vote for Allison, do not give her a tick which means your vote will be disallowed. Give her a Number One.